The Premier League returns from its first international break of the season when Manchester United travel to Southampton for the early kick-off on Saturday and a defeat would heap pressure on Erik ten Hag after his side’s 3-0 defeat by Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.

Fantasy managers have some difficult choices to make over the next month, with European football starting in midweek. It could be time to utilise Liverpool assets given their next four matches look favourable.

Congratulations to August winner Micah Henschke and his team Die Mannschaft, who amassed 272 points last month.

Saturday

Southampton v Manchester United (8.30am)

Southampton have scored just one goal in three straight defeats to start the season. Gavin Bazunu is out with an Achilles injury, while Kamaldeen Sulemana and Ross Stewart are doubtful.

Manchester United have lost two of their first three games and Ten Hag must do without Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro and Mason Mount for this match. Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund are doubtful.

Prediction: 1-2

Brighton & Hove Albion v Ipswich Town (11am)

Brighton have started with seven points from the first three games under new German coach Fabian Hurzeler. Matt O’Riley is out with an ankle injury, while Solly March, Mats Wieffer, Brajan Gruda, Joel Veltman, Ferdi Kadioglu and James Milner are doubtful.

Ipswich got their first Premier League point in more than two decades against Fulham last week. Harry Clarke, Wes Burns and George Hirst are out through injury and Nathan Broadhead and Omari Hutchinson are doubtful.

Prediction: 2-0

Crystal Palace v Leicester City (11am)

Crystal Palace have struggled with just one point from three games in the first full campaign under manager Oliver Glasner. Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca are out with knee and rib injuries, while Adam Wharton is doubtful with a groin injury.

Leicester have suffered two narrow defeats and held Spurs to a draw in their three games. Odsonne Edouard is ineligible to face his parent club due to league loan rules with Jakub Stolarczyk and Patson Daka missing with ankle injuries.

Prediction: 1-1

Fulham v West Ham United (11am)

Fulham have bounced back from the opening defeat at Manchester United with victory over Leicester and a draw at Ipswich. The Cottagers have no new injury concerns this weekend.

West Ham were the victim of Erling Haaland’s eighth Premier League hat-trick last time out and Aaron Cresswell is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool v Nottingham Forest (11am)

Liverpool have started flawlessly under Arne Slot and are yet to concede a goal after three league games. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are doubtful with hamstring and foot injuries this weekend.

Nottingham Forest are making a steady start to their third consecutive top-flight season. Danilo is out with an ankle injury, while Willy Boly is doubtful this weekend.

Prediction: 2-1

Manchester City v Brentford (11am)

Manchester City have made a fine start in their quest for a fifth league title in a row, winning all three matches. Oscar Bobb is out with a leg injury, while Phil Foden and Savio are doubtful through injury and illness.

Brentford have started with two wins from their first three matches despite losing star forward Ivan Toney to Saudi Arabia. The Bees will miss Aaron Hickey, Josh DaSilva and Igor Thiago this week, while Rico Henry, Kristoffer Ajer and Mathias Jensen are doubtful.

Prediction: 3-1

Aston Villa v Everton (1.30pm)

Aston Villa have won both their opening away matches so far. Matt Cash is out with a hamstring injury, while Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings, Leon Bailey, Boubacar Kamara, Jaden Philogene and Ollie Watkins are doubtful.

Everton have conceded ten goals in their first three games, letting a two-goal lead slip in their latest loss at home to Bournemouth. Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson and Youssef Chermiti are out and Armando Broja is doubtful with a foot injury.

Prediction: 3-0

Bournemouth v Chelsea (4pm)

Bournemouth scored two stoppage-time goals to take down Everton last weekend for their first win of the campaign. Kepa Arrizabalaga cannot play against his parent club and Tyler Adams is out with a back injury, while David Brooks, Enes Unal and Philip Billing are doubtful.

Chelsea have endured a mixed start under new leader Enzo Maresca, dropping points at home to Crystal Palace last week after thrashing Wolves at Molineux. Omari Kellyman, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto and Cole Palmer are doubtful this weekend.

Prediction: 2-2

Sunday

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal (10am)

Tottenham are struggling for defensive stability, conceding a late winner at Newcastle last time out. Richarlison is out with a muscle injury, while Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven are doubtful.

Arsenal withstood some pressure after star midfielder Declan Rice was sent off to manage a home draw with Brighton. He is suspended for this game while Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Mikel Merino are out injured. Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori are all doubtful starters.

Prediction: 1-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United (12.30pm)

Wolves have the second-worst defensive record through three games, shipping six goals in the home defeat to Chelsea. Boubacar Traore, Enso Gonzalez and Sasa Kaladjzic are out with knee injuries, while Rayan Ait-Nouri, Yerson Mosquera and Mario Lemina are doubtful.

Newcastle edged Tottenham behind a late winner from Alexander Isak just before the break. Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Miley are out to injury this week, while Joe Willock, Callum Wilson and Emil Krafth are doubtful.

Prediction: 2-1.